Rough transmission shifts?

[03 Limited]

Hey guys i got a question, since i never drove any other 4runner before to compare with i got a question. I have a 2wd limited model with a V8 and the 5 speed auto, is the transmission supposed to have seamless shifting or is it supposed to do a light jerk (shift shock i guess they call it) between gears? Its functioning fine, but i noticed 1-2 shift is kinda hard, and rest of the gears is pretty smooth (the higher the gear is smoother). I assumed since this is a truck platform the trans is not going to be as smooth as the cars.

Any insight? I drove other suv's like the nissan's before and their trans is smooth as butter (almost CVT territory), just wondering why my 4runner is kind of jerky. Excuse my ignorance as im not automatic trans expert.

 

[-aj-]

I have felt the jerks too - the shifting is not very smooth - maybe a software update in the future that might fix the shifts?

 

[krash]

I'd actually like firmer shifts.....

 

[03 Limited]

I'd actually like firmer shifts.....

I typically do also, but only it was meant to do that, if its supposed to be smooth as butter and it shifts jerky its a sigh of something going wrong.

 

[TheBlueWave]

I think it shifts very smooth and is eager to downshift when pressed. The 1-2 is a little jerkier than the others, and sometimes 3-4 can be jerky at higher rpm's. Maybe you guys all have experience with lux cars, but coming from manuals and old cars I gotta say the 5-sp. trans is pretty good!

 

[03 Limited]

I think it shifts very smooth and is eager to downshift when pressed. The 1-2 is a little jerkier than the others, and sometimes 3-4 can be jerky at higher rpm's. Maybe you guys all have experience with lux cars, but coming from manuals and old cars I gotta say the 5-sp. trans is pretty good!

I never really owned a luxury car, this is about as luxury as i ever had. lol, i been a sports car enthusiast all my life. Ive had a couple of cars that were automatics but they were old cars. I driven quite a few automatic cars though here at work, our parts truck Titan has a 5 speed auto that is smooth as butter.

 

[Ghostface80]

I've noticed the V8 holds onto 2nd for quite a while sometimes.

 

[juneau92]

I was kind of surprised to read these posts, as the transmission in my 4Runner is absolutely by far the smoothest shifting I've ever owned.

 

[03 Limited]

I was kind of surprised to read these posts, as the transmission in my 4Runner is absolutely by far the smoothest shifting I've ever owned.

Well you have the updated newer model, it uses the new WS fluid not the Type T-IV like mine. Maybe that could be why its smoother?

 

[Northof49]

My 03 and 05 V8's were butter smooth....if anything, I wouldn't have minded firmer shifts when passing, etc.

 

[03 Limited]

Eh, i guess its a mixed crowd.

 

[CannondaleMan]

Of course mine is 2 weeks old, but she shifts like buttah baby.

I can't even notice it and I start my job commmute going up a pretty significant grade on my road too.

Sounds like a trip to the "stealer" (as someone here so eleoquently puts it) is in order. Tansmissions should be smooth and relatively seamless. Especially for the first few years if there is no isssue going on.